Champion of Champions: Will Selby or O’Sullivan come out on top?

After winning the last two ranking and invitational events, Mark Selby is the man to beat in the Champion of Champions tournament in Coventry this week.

The Jester from Leicester has been in good form of late. He won the Haining Open last month before picking up a first ranking tournament success of the season when beating Mark Allen 10-7 in the final of the International Championship at the weekend.

He’s the 4/1 joint-favourite to continue that good form in Coventry and win the Champion of Champions trophy for the first time.

As always, his main competition will come from two-time winner and three-time finalist Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The Rocket usually excels in this event and is also priced at 4/1 to claim a second ranking success of the season after landing the English Open in October.

However, after the Essex-potter lost to unknown Chinese prodigy Yan Bingtao last week, it could be worth looking further afield for someone with a little more value.

A player who does make appeal is Judd Trump at 9/2.                                                                      

Following a strong finish to the 2016-17 season, Trump has managed to extend that form into the new campaign and recently landed the European Masters for the second successive year.

He’s a player that often blows hot and cold on the circuit, but one that can certainly not be ruled out here.

Making similar appeal is last year’s winner John Higgins.

The 42-year-old is a 6/1 shot to retain his crown and could face O’Sullivan – his opponent in last year’s final – in the second round.

If the Scottish cue-master can make it through that test, then he could well be on for a second win in as many years in this tournament.

Ding Junhui then follows at 15/2, before Shaun Murphy at a tasty 14/1.

While Murphy’s odds make appeal for a player of his undoubted quality, it’s Junhui who makes more sense based on recent form. The 40-year-old was disappointing in the International Championship and English Open but did win the World Open in September.

If he can channel that form into another impressive showing then his odds could begin to look favourable.

Meanwhile, Barry Hawkins, Marco Fu and Neil Robertson are all priced at 16/1 for glory in Coventry.

Click here for the latest Champion of Champion odds.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.